A study was conducted to identify and clarify the stated missions, goals, and relationships of three institutions (Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation [BCSC], Indiana Vocational Technical College [IVTC], and the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Campus [IUPUI]) to each other and the Columbus community to determine the potential for cooperative efforts in managing resources. Based on data obtained from the institutions, business and industry leaders, and representatives of the community, some conclusions were (1) the institutions have central threads of agreement in their missions and broad goals; (2) many programs/courses appear to be duplicates; (3) the institutions do not serve exactly the same geographical areas; (4) each institution projects a need in the late 1970's and early 1980's for additional facilities; and (5) the institutions appear to have functional and flexible organizational structures that encourage coordination and cooperation. On the basis of the findings recommendations were developed for five phases. The phase 1 recommendation is to have the institution cooperate with business, industry, and community representatives to develop a community education council for joint planning. A phase 2 recommendation is for the institutions to continue developing a cooperative program of sharing learning resources. (Appendixes include DCSC, IVTC, and IUPUI programs and enrollment information and profiles of Indiana economic regions 10, 11, and 12. (CSS)